In 1852, the Franconian nobleman Hans Freiherr von und zu Aufseß and the idea of founding a museum. He wanted the museum to house all types of art and culture which were related to Germanic culture. The name of the museum also stems from this idea.
In the 19th century the term “Germanic cultural area” was understood as encompassing the areas where German was at one time spoken. Against the backdrop of the failed political union of German states in 1848, the museum was to document the unity of the German cultural region- a politically and culturally modern vision. With the foundation of the empire in 1871, the Germanic National Museum became the official National Museum of German Art and Culture.
Today the Germanic National Museum is a modern museum which has constantly evolved over time. As a public institution it is financed by the German state, the state of Bavaria and the city of Nuremberg. It is a member of the Leibniz Association and is recognised as a significant research facility.